AKCSE 회원님께,

안녕하세요.

2021년부터 우리 캐나다과기협에서는 회원간 더욱 긴밀한 정보 교류를 위해 AKCSE Seminar Series를 시작할 예정이고요, 이를 담당하게 된 Windsor 대학의 김용훈, 그리고 NRC의 김근수입니다.

세미나는 월례 행사로 매월 초 목요일 밤 8시(EST)부터 1시간가량 진행될 예정이며, 학술적인 내용과 비학술적인 내용(e.g., 펀딩 기회, entrepreneurship등)을 적절히 배합해서 기획할 계획입니다. 학술적인 내용의 발표의 경우, 비전문가도 이해할 수 있는 수준으로 발표내용이 준비될 계획이니, 모든 회원분들의 참여를 기대합니다.  기회가 닿는다면, 년 1~2회 특정 주제에 대한 전문가 패널토론도 계획하고 있습니다.  

Hyo-Jick Choi

University of Alberta

Date: Thursday, April 8^th, 2021

Time: 8:00 pm (EST)

Location: Zoom

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89923897414?pwd=czhJbnBlSFFBMnd1VTMva3JhUDQzZz09

Meeting ID: 899 2389 7414

Passcode: 552511

Title: Infection Control Measures against Respiratory Pandemic/epidemic Diseases

Abstract: Partial Airborne transmission is critical to the spread of respiratory diseases. Currently used respiratory protection devices (e.g., surgical masks, N95 respirators) rely on filtration. In the absence of a system to inactivate pathogens on the filters, safety concerns arise on the risk of contact transmission. To this end, we propose a universal, reusable virus negation system, which efficiently deactivates viral/bacterial aerosols/droplets on a filter.

In this work, we report the development of a safe, highly effective pathogen deactivation system based on salt recrystallization. To demonstrate the concept, we coated polypropylene fibers of mask filters with three different types of natural salts (i.e., NaCl, K2SO4, KCl). Filtration efficiency and viral/bacterial inactivation were determined in vitro following exposure to influenza, bacteria, and coronavirus aerosols/droplets, and protective efficacy was studied in vivo. Virus destabilization was examined by measuring hemagglutinin activity and viral infectivity change. In parallel, broad-spectrum protection was evaluated by lethal infectivity of penetrated virus in vivo and infectivity of virus collected on filters during filtration in vitro.

Results showed that salt-coated filters have significantly superior filtration efficiency compared to conventional mask filters and guaranteed complete protection against viral infection. Virus on salt-coated filters showed rapid infectivity loss, demonstrating disruption of virus. Additionally, performance of salt-coated filters was not compromised by prolonged exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Therefore, our antimicrobial filters can guarantee development of reusable, universal respiratory protection devices for infection control during pandemics and epidemics.

Bio: Dr. Hyo-Jick Choi is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta, and runs a sustainable engineering and drug delivery design (SEED) lab. Dr. Choi received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Univ. of Cincinnati (Sept. 2006-June. 2007)/ UCLA (Sept. 2002-Aug. 2006), followed by his postdoctoral fellowship at Georgia institute of Technology. Dr. Choi has made influential scientific contributions to bridging Engineering to Health Science by developing, 1) solid oral vaccine/biopharmaceuticals, 2) a minimally invasive transdermal drug delivery method using solid microneedles, and 3) universal and reusable personal protective measures. His capability in integrative fusion technologies and their commercialization enabled him to establish four start-up companies based on his research findings. Dr. Choi is an Editorial Board Member of Scientific Reports and topic editorial board member of Pharmaceutics. He was chosen as the Researcher of the Month for June 2017 by the Canadians for Health Research for his efforts in the development of virus deactivation system against pandemic/epidemic diseases and solid oral vaccines. E-mail hyojick@ualberta.ca

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